[artificialLimbs]

1.)Have kids.

2.)Work at doing something else, since you clearly don’t like what you’re doing. Looks like you’re already doing that, so just keep going. Could your physical activity and health be what’s affecting your mental state?

[rychco]

I don't mean to be rude, but 'Have kids' may be one of the single worst pieces of advice you could give someone who is "plagued with exhaustion and lack of motivation".

[artificialLimbs]

I was also plagued with exhaustion and lack of motivation.

Now, 5 years into getting married and having 2 kids, I value my time and my self in ways that simply would not have been possible prior. I am learning to focus not only on what I want and 'me'. I have begun to contribute to my community through serving in community oriented roles. I stopped my worst self destructive habits explicity so that I may be a good role model for my children. My energy is at an all time high as a result of taking care of myself physically, mentally, and emotionally so that I may do the same for those around me. I have found motivation in doing good work to help others, even if it's not 'ideally' fit for my personal tastes at any given time. Doing good work, being consistent and stable (where I was not before), and striving to bring about positive change has resulted in substantial gains in a number of areas in my life. I would still be smoking weed and fucking off playing 1 player games by myself without my family to motivate me.

Maybe it doesn't work this way for everyone, but this is my experience.

[alex_suzuki]

I agree. It is completely unfathomable to me how someone could give this advice.

Similarly ridiculous, couples going through a relationship crisis often receive this kind of “advice” to “fix their relationship”.

The only people who might think this is a great idea probably don’t have kids…

[systemvoltage]

Having a responsibility of kids is a good motivator and releases seratonin/dopamine through parent-child bonding.

[gardenhedge]

Is that backed up by evidence?